Clothes and guitars owned by Hendrix were discovered in a box that had been locked in a storage facility in East Sussex, England since 2008 following the death of Mitch Mitchell, drummer with the Jimi Hendrix Experience.

Mitchell's widow placed the trunk, labelled J H Exp Handle With Care, in the storage unit but the contents were sold off for a bargain price when she failed to pay rental fees.

The new owner is now selling the treasure trove, which also includes Mitchell's drums and clothes, plus a typed letter from former Beatles star Sir Paul MCCartney, which was framed next to a copy of his solo record Flaming Pie.

The items are expected to reach a collective total of $9,600 (£6,000) when they are sold at Eastbourne Auctions in England on Thursday.